JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The FBI is urging all Android and iPhone users to stop sending text messages to each other after it said Chinese cybercriminals attacked at least eight major U.S. telecom companies.
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The average American sends or receives about 40 text messages daily, often opting for quick messages over traditional phone conversations, according to a Pew Research study. These communications may not be as private as one would think.
Officials said Chinese cybercriminals called The Salt Typhoon group are responsible for an unprecedented attack.
“So far, they’ve been able to get into companies such as T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T and Lumen Technologies,” Eric Franklin of Scarlett Cyber Security Group said. “They’ve all confirmed that they’ve been targeted by this group and unfortunately, they’ve been able to access a large number of metadata across those organizations.”
Franklin said the attack is concerning because text messages sent between Android and iPhone users are more vulnerable to security risks.
“When you’re trying to send a message from an iPhone to an Android user an vice versa, unfortunately, that communication is not encrypted end to end, not as of yet, not without the use of third party applications, and that’s where the FBI is warning to just be aware of what you’re sending, especially when you’re sending it across those formats,” Franklin said.
Franklin suggested smartphone users take these precautions:
- Avoid texting any information that you don’t want anyone to have like Social Security numbers, bank account information, and passwords.
- If you have an older smartphone, make sure you always have the latest software update.
- Instead of text messaging, use encrypted services like WhatsApp, or Signal.
“Part of this investigation...if it’s not an encrypted phone call, they can actually hear what you’re saying,” Franklin said. “Kind of scary that we have these devices that we use day in and day out, and a lot of people aren’t aware of just some of the basics of do not, talk about specific things over the phone, or do not send out specific information over your cell phone.”
U.S. officials have not said how many people they suspect have been targeted in the cyberattacks.
Apple is expected to release an update later in December to enable users to change the default messenger on their devices from iMessage.